The article written by Jennifer Curry and Laura Choate (2010) is aimed at discussing the oversexualization of adolescent girls. In particular, these authors argue that continuous exposure to sexualized images or stereotypes can harm the development of these girls. For example, they can assess themselves only in term of their attractiveness, beauty or ability to appeal to males (Curry & Choate, 2010).
Moreover, their academic performance and career of these students can be adversely affected because they can attach more importance to their sexuality, rather than learning, professional development, or intelligence. In turn, the task of school administrators and teachers should help girls identify the media messages that can harm their development.
For example, educators should refute the negative stereotypes that media can reinforce. Special attention should be paid the self-objectification of girls. Overall, this article raises the questions that are relevant to teachers and educators. To some extent, this article is related to such topics as social psychology and child development.
It seems that Jennifer Curry and Laura Choate are relevant to researchers, who are interested in the socialization of individual and the formation of his or her values. For example, it is possible to examine such an issue as the formation of sexual stereotypes. One should take into account that the development of a child depends upon his/her perception of gender (Olfman, 2009).
Therefore, one can conduct a research investigating how adolescents understand their gender roles and the goals that they want to attain. This question is interesting not only from theoretical perspective. It is important for educators and parents who are responsible for the upbringing of teenagers whose values and principles can be influenced by sexual stereotypes. This is why this issue is worth examining.
Additionally, social psychologists can design studies that should examine the influence of particular media messages of people’s understanding of sex, sexuality and gender (Olfman, 2009). For instance, researchers can look at the impact of music videos on the behavior of boys and girls. This research can tell how mass media act as an agent of socialization.
Furthermore, scholars can look at the media messages, and their representation of genders, and the values that they advocate. In this way, psychologists can better understand how sexual stereotypes are constructed. This is why this question should not be overlooked. Therefore, socialization and child development are affected not only by parents, teachers or friends.
Researchers should pay more attention to the role of different media as an agent that shapes people’s perception of the world. The sexual identity of children and adolescents is one of the issues that are closely examined by psychologists. Suggested studies can throw light on ways in which the personality of an individual is formed through media messages.
On the whole, one can argue that the article written by Jennifer Curry and Laura Choate can give rise to further research that is closely related to social psychology and child development. The oversexualization of adolescent girls should not be overlooked by teachers and parents who should safeguard teenagers or children from harmful stereotypes.
The key problem is that contemporary media can transform the experiences of students and their understanding of their future roles. The challenges identified by Jennifer Curry and Laura Choate are related contemporary culture. Nevertheless, they can be better understood with the help of empirical studies.
Reference List
Curry, J., & Choate, L. (2010). The Oversexualization of Young Adolescent Girls: Implications for Middle Grades Educators. Middle School Journal, 42(1), 6-14.
Olfman, S. (2009). The Sexualization of Childhood. New York: ABC-CLIO, 2009. Print.